($1,251) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Santa Ana, CA

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Santa Ana costs $1,080–$6,826 and takes four to 15 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,681-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Santa Ana to Des Moines guide.

The best Des Moines to Santa Ana full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Santa Ana can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Santa Ana.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
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  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
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  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
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(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost between $1,251 to $5,147. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,247 to $6,826, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost from $5,709 to $10,754.

The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Santa Ana move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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  • Fast delivery
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Santa Ana?toggle

Moving containers from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost you $1,067 to $2,629 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,807 to $3,686. A larger home will cost $2,517 to $5,150.

The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Santa Ana move

If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Santa Ana move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Santa Ana?toggle

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,019 to $1,938. A larger move will cost $1,080 to $2,282, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Santa Ana costs from $1,375 to $2,791. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Santa Ana move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Des Moines to Santa Ana:

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How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,251 - $5,147 $1,067 - $2,629 $1,019 - $1,938
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,247 - $6,826 $1,807 - $3,686 $1,080 - $2,282
4+ bedrooms $5,709 - $10,754 $2,517 - $5,150 $1,375 - $2,791
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,681 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Santa Anatoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Santa Ana can be as low as $1,251 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $9,922.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,019 to $2,678. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana

Des Moines Santa Ana
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,650
Average home value $192,347 $843,858
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $77,283
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $6,333
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $11,160
Unemployment rate 5.9% 7.0%
Sales tax 7.0% 9.25%
State income tax 4.4% 13.3%
  • Rent prices in Santa Ana are 130% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Santa Ana are 338.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Santa Ana is 32.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Santa Ana is 234.9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Santa Ana is 154.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Santa Ana is 18.64% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Santa Ana are 32.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Santa Ana are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $10,047.07 in Santa Ana to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Santa Ana

Santa Ana Des Moines
Population 310,227 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 5
Walkability score 67 45
Bike friendliness score 62 39
Crime Index 54.17 5.0
Safety Index 45.83 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Santa Ana's population is about 56% less than Des Moines.
  • Santa Ana's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Santa Ana is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Santa Ana is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Santa Ana's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 54.17 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Santa Ana is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 45.83 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Santa Ana is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Santa Ana move

  • Weather: Santa Ana has hot, dry summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Santa Ana. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Santa Ana

Now that you've decided to make the move to "", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Santa Ana.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Fairbridge Square
  • South Coast
  • Park Santiago
  • Sanpointe
  • Meredith Parkwood

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Meredith Parkwood
  • Fairbridge Square
  • West Grove Valley
  • South Coast

Things to do in Santa Anatoggle

After settling into your new California home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Santa Ana has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Santa Ana is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Bowers Museum, Lyon Air Museum, Discovery Cube Orange County, Heritage Museum of Orange County, and Orange County Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Santiago Park Nature — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Santa Ana take?

The 1,681-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Santa Ana, CA, takes four to 15 days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Santa Ana.

Helpful moving resources